Portable charger

ABSTRACT

An apparatus includes a housing having a first connector port at a first end of the housing and a second connector port at a second end of the housing. The first end and the second end are opposite one another. An activator is configured to simultaneously move the first connector port and the second connector port when a force is applied. When the first connector port is extended beyond the housing, the second connector port is retracted into the housing, and when the second connector port is extended beyond the housing, the first connector port is retracted into the housing. An internal battery is coupled to the first connector port and configured to be charged via the first connector port from an external power source, and coupled to the second connector port and configured to provide power via the second connector port to an external device.

BACKGROUND

People rely heavily on portable, electronic devices such as mobilephones, tablets or smartwatches, for business or pleasure throughout theday. For instance, email, texting, mobile gaming, internet surfing,financial business transactions, and streaming video content are managedvia the portable, electronic devices. With use, the internal battery onthese devices eventually runs out of power, and when this occurs, theportable, electronic device becomes a useless gadget until it ischarged.

Portable chargers are available in different forms or configurations inthe market. Some are large and bulky, thus not easily portable. Otherhave rough surfaces, sharp corners, sharp edges, and above-surfacebuttons that can be inadvertently activated (thus draining the capacityfor providing power of the portable charger). Moreover, conventionalportable chargers have inconvenient accessory cables that are necessaryto operate the portable charger. For example, a cable may be necessaryto connect the portable charger to the power source while charging theportable charger or a (same or different) cable may be needed to connectthe portable charger to the portable, electronic device while chargingthe device.

SUMMARY

An apparatus is disclosed herein and includes a housing having a firstconnector port at a first end of the housing and a second connector portat a second end of the housing. The first end of the housing and thesecond end of the housing are opposite one another. An activator isconfigured to simultaneously move the first connector port and thesecond connector port when a force is applied. When the first connectorport is extended beyond the housing, the second connector port isretracted into the housing, and when the second connector port isextended beyond the housing, the first connector port is retracted intothe housing. An internal battery is coupled to the first connector portand configured to be charged via the first connector port from anexternal power source, and coupled to the second connector port andconfigured to provide power via the second connector port to an externaldevice.

A method is disclosed herein and includes providing an apparatus. Theapparatus includes an internal battery, an activator and a housing. Theactivator is configured to simultaneously move a first connector portand a second connector port. The housing has the first connector port ata first end of the housing and the second connector port at a second endof the housing. The first end of the housing and the second end of thehousing are opposite one another. A force is applied to the activator.The activator is configured to simultaneously move the first connectorport and the second connector port to a position at which the firstconnector port is retracted into the housing and the second connectorport is extended beyond the housing. In some embodiments, when theactivator is located at a midpoint between the first end of the housingand the second end of the housing, the first connector port and thesecond connector port are retracted into the housing. In someembodiments, a cable coupled to an external power source is connected tothe first connector port when the first connector port is retracted intothe housing. The second connector port is connected to an externaldevice when the second connector port is extended beyond the housing. Aninternal battery coupled to the first connector port is charged via thecable coupled to the external power source while simultaneouslyproviding power from the internal battery to the external device.

A method is also disclosed herein and includes applying a force to anactivator of an apparatus. The apparatus has an internal battery and ahousing. The housing has a first connector port at a first end of thehousing and a second connector port at a second end of the housing. Thefirst end of the housing and the second end of the housing are oppositeone another. The first connector port and the second connector port aresimultaneously moved to a position at which the first connector port isretracted into the housing and the second connector port is extendedbeyond the housing. The second connector port is connected to anexternal device, without an intervening cable therebetween. Power fromthe internal battery is provided to the external device.

The first connector port may be a USB connector, a mini-USB connector ora micro-USB connector. The first connector port is configured to becoupled to a cable when the first connector port is retracted into thehousing. The second connector port may be a USB connector, a mini-USBconnector, a micro-USB or a Lightning™ connector. The second connectorport is configured to be directly coupled to the external device withouta cable or an adapter therebetween.

In some embodiments, the apparatus includes circuitry coupled to theinternal battery enabling the internal battery to be charged whilesimultaneously providing power to the external device. In someembodiments, the first connector port is configured to be connected tothe external power source without the use of a cable therebetween. Theinternal battery is configured to be charged from the external powersource without the use of a cable via the first connector port. Theinternal battery may be configured to be charged from the external powersource via a cable coupled to the first connector port. The internalbattery is configured to be charged from an external power source via acable coupled to the first connector port when the first connector portis retracted into the housing. The internal battery is configured to becharged from an external power source when the first connector port isretracted into the housing while simultaneously providing power to theexternal device when the second connector port is extended beyond thehousing.

In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an opening in the first endof the housing through which the first connector port is extended beyondthe housing and retracted into the housing, and a cable with a firstcable connector plug configured to be inserted through the opening andinto the housing and to be coupled to the first connector port when thefirst connector port is retracted into the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus, the portable charger, inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 2A-2C are simplified schematics of a front view, side view and topview, respectively, of the portable charger, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of the portable charger, inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the portable charger, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the portable charger and an outletcharger block connected together through a first connector port, withouta cable, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a specially-designed external cable forthe portable charger, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the specially-designed external cableand the portable charger, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the portable charger, thespecially-designed external cable, and an outlet charger block connectedtogether, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the portable charger and thespecially-designed external cable coupled together, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 11 illustrates a method for providing power to an external device,in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the portable charger providing power tothe external device, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 13 illustrates a method for charging the portable charger whileproviding power to an external device, in accordance with someembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An improved portable charger for charging electronic devices isdescribed herein. This is a small, lightweight, smooth, pocketableportable charger that is self-contained and fully functional. In someembodiments, the portable charger is used without external cables tomanage and keep track of. It is designed to fit comfortably in a pantspocket or small purse (or other appropriate carrying element) withoutadding significant weight or occupying much room. Since the portablecharger does not need cables to charge itself or connect to externalelements, an advantage of the portable charger is that such cables donot have to be carried with the portable charger, thereby enhancing theconvenience, attractiveness, and usability of the portable charger. Insome embodiments, the portable charger is configured to be charged whilesimultaneously providing power to an electronic device. The design ofthe portable charger prevents damage from occurring to the connectorports, debris from accumulating in the device, or inadvertentlyactivating the device (which would drain the internal battery, thusdiminishing the power capacity). Other benefits, advantages andimprovements will become apparent from the description herein.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus, the portable charger 100,in accordance with some embodiments. The portable charger 100 has ahousing 110 with rounded corners, smooth edges and smooth surfaces. Thehousing 110 has a first end 112 with a first opening 114 and a secondend 116 with a second opening 118 (not shown in FIG. 1; see FIG. 4). Thefirst end 112 of the housing 110 and the second end 116 of the housing110 are opposite one another. An aperture 119 is located on a topsurface of the housing 110.

An activator 120 is coupled to the housing 110 and accessible throughthe aperture 119. In some embodiments, the activator 120 is flush with,or recessed below, the top surface of the housing 110. The activator 120is configured to move between the first end 112 of the housing 110 andthe second end 116 of the housing 110 when a force is applied to theactivator 120. The length of travel of the activator 120 may be limitedby the size of the aperture 119 in the direction of travel between thefirst end 112 and the second end 116. A user may easily and convenientlymove the activator 120 by placing a finger or thumb (or otherappropriate device) on the activator 120 and sliding the activator 120in a translational motion. In some embodiments, the user may use adownward force on the activator 120 while applying the translationalmotion to engage the activator 120. The activator 120 may move from oneside of the aperture 119 to the other side of the aperture 119. Bydesigning the activator 120 to be flush with or recessed in the aperture119 of the housing 110, there is less risk of inadvertently moving theactivator 120 to one of the positions at which one of the connectorports (described below) is extended.

The portable charger 100 is small and lightweight enabling it to fitcomfortably in a pocket or purse. FIGS. 2A-2C are simplified schematicsof a front view, side view and top view, respectively, of the portablecharger 100, in accordance with some embodiments. Sample, non-limitingdimensions in inches are shown to demonstrate the small size of theportable charger 100.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of the portable charger 100, inaccordance with some embodiments. The housing 110 has a first connectorport 122 at the first end 112 of the housing 110 and a second connectorport 124 at the second end 116 of the housing 110. The activator 120,the first connector port 122, and the second connector port 124 areconfigured, or connected together, to simultaneously move both the firstconnector port 122 and the second connector port 124 when a force isapplied to the activator 120. The first opening 114 on the first end 112of the housing 110 enables the first connector port 122 to extend beyond(or outside of) the housing 110 and retract into the housing 110, andthe second opening 118 on the second end 116 of the housing 110 enablesthe second connector port 124 to extend beyond (or outside of) thehousing 110 and retract into the housing 110. The first connector port122 may be a USB connector, a mini-USB connector or a micro-USBconnector. The second connector port 124 may be a USB connector, amini-USB connector, a micro-USB or a Lightning™ connector. Othersuitable USB or non-USB connectors may be used as technology inconnectors evolves.

In some embodiments, when the activator 120 is located at a midpointbetween the first end 112 of the housing 110 and the second end 116 ofthe housing 110, the first connector port 122 and the second connectorport 124 are both retracted into the housing 110, as shown in FIG. 1. Inthis configuration, the first connector port 122 and the secondconnector port 124 are protected from potential damage, such as bendingor breaking, and from debris. This configuration may be used when theportable charger 100 is not in use or while carrying or transporting theportable charger 100. In some embodiments, the portable charger 100 isinoperable in this configuration,—that is, when the activator 120 islocated at a midpoint between the first end 112 of the housing 110 andthe second end 116 of the housing 110, the first connector port 122 andthe second connector port 124 are retracted into the housing 110, andthus inaccessible for operation. In some embodiments, the portablecharger 100 is operable in this configuration, such as with the use ofan optional specially-designed external cable 140 (discussed hereafter;see FIG. 7) coupled to the first connector port 122 (or alternatively tothe second connector port 124).

The portable charger 100 has other configurations such as when the firstconnector port 122 is extended beyond the housing 110 through the firstopening 114 on the first end 112 of the housing 110, the secondconnector port 124 is retracted further into the housing 110, as shownin FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 4, when the second connector port 124 isextended beyond the housing 110 through the second opening 118 on thesecond end 116 of the housing 110, the first connector port 122 isretracted further into the housing 110.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the portable charger 100, in accordancewith some embodiments. The housing 110 may include an upper plate 110 awith the aperture 119 and a lower plate 110 b. When the upper plate 110a and lower plate 110 b are coupled together, the housing 110 is formed.The upper plate 110 a may be coupled to the activator 120 in a mannerthat allows the activator 120 to slide back and forth. In someembodiments, vertically below the activator 120 is a cover 128. Thecover 128 prevents dirt or debris from entering areas below the cover128 of the portable charger 100. The cover 128 may protect and hide thebattery 130 and be aesthetically pleasing.

Vertically below the cover 128 is the internal battery 130. The internalbattery 130 is chargeable and configured to provide power. In someembodiments, this occurs at the same time, or simultaneously. Theinternal battery 130 is electrically coupled to a bracket 132 disposedvertically under the battery 130. The bracket 132 includes a printedcircuit board (PCB) 134, the first connector port 122 and the secondconnector port 124. The first and second connector ports 122 and 124 aremounted to the PCB 134 along with control circuitry (not shown) forcontrolling the charging and discharging of the battery 130. Theinternal battery 130 is electrically coupled to the first connector port122 of the bracket 132 and configured to be charged via the firstconnector port 122 from an external (i.e., external to the portablecharger 100) power source 133 (see FIG. 6), such as a wall socket,laptop, computer, tablet or other device with a compatible port, or froman outlet charger block 138 (see FIG. 6) connected to the external powersource 133. The internal battery 130 is electrically coupled to thesecond connector port 124 of the bracket 132 and configured to providepower via the second connector port 124 to an external device (i.e.,external to the portable charger 100). The external device may be amobile phone, smartphone, personal digital assistant, audio player,tablet computer, smartwatch, or laptop computer.

A flat internal flexible cable 136 may be electrically coupled to thebracket 132 and wrapped around over the top side of the battery 130 orover the cover 128. The flat internal flexible cable 136 may includeLEDs exposed through the aperture 119 to provide illumination thatindicates operational conditions, such as different-colored LEDs thatindicate that the battery 130 is being charged, is fully charged, ispartially charged, is fully discharged, and/or is being discharged(i.e., is providing power to an external electronic device). The lowerplate 110 b is located vertically below the bracket 132. When thecomponents shown in FIG. 5 are assembled, they form the portable charger100.

In some embodiments, the internal battery 130 is configured to becharged from the external power source 133 or the outlet charger block138 without the use of an external cable via the first connector port122. For example, a force may be applied to the activator 120 of theportable charger 100 to cause the first connector port 122 and thesecond connector port 124 to be simultaneously moved to a position atwhich the first connector port 122 is extended beyond the housing 110through the first opening 114, and the second connector port 124 isretracted into the housing 110. Then, the first connector port 122 iscoupled directly to the external power source 133 or the outlet chargerblock 138, without the use of an intervening cable therebetween,enabling the internal battery 130 to charge. FIG. 6 is a perspectiveview of the portable charger 100 and an outlet charger block 138connected together through a first connector port 122, without a cable,in accordance with some embodiments. In this example, the portablecharger 100 is coupled directly to the outlet charger block 138connected to the wall socket which is the external power source 133. Inother embodiments, the portable charger 100 is coupled directly to alaptop computer through the first connector port 122 to charge theinternal battery 130. In some embodiments, the dimensions of theportable charger 100 are such that it can lay flat next to the laptopcomputer, or without placing undue stress on the first connector port122, while plugged into the appropriate port of the laptop computer.Being able to charge the internal battery 130 with the portable charger100 without a cable is very convenient to the user and represents anadvantage of the present invention. For example, when internal battery130 of the portable charger 100 runs out of power and therefore needs tobe charged, the user can quickly and efficiently couple the firstconnector port 122 to the external power source 133 or the outletcharger block 138 without having to search for an added, loose,compatible cable.

In some embodiments, the internal battery 130 is configured to becharged from the external power source 133 or the outlet charger block138 via the optional specially-designed external cable 140 coupled tothe first connector port 122. This may occur when the first connectorport 122 is extended from the housing 110 through first opening 114 inthe housing 110 or when the first connector port 122 is retracted intothe housing 110. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the specially-designedexternal cable 140 for the portable charger 100, in accordance with someembodiments. The specially-designed external cable 140 has a first end142 and a second end 146. The first end 142 and the second end 146 ofthe specially-designed external cable 140 are opposite one another. Thefirst end 142 of the specially-designed external cable 140 has a firstcable connector plug 144 and may be coupled to the first connector port122 through the first opening 114 of the housing 110. The first cableconnector plug 144 may be a USB connector, a mini-USB connector, amicro-USB connector, or other appropriate USB or non-USB connector.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the specially-designed external cable140 and the portable charger 100, in accordance with some embodiments.The first cable connector plug 144 and may be coupled to the firstconnector port 122 through the first opening 114 of the first end 112 ofthe housing 110. In some embodiments, this may occur when the activator120 has been moved through the aperture 119 of the housing 110 so thatthe second connector port 124 is extended beyond the housing 110 and thefirst connector port 122 is retracted into the housing. In otherembodiments, this may occur when the activator 120 is located at amidpoint between the first end 112 and the second end 116 of the housing110 so that the first connector port 122 and the second connector port124 are both retracted into the housing 110. In some embodiments, thefirst connector port 122 is configured to have a typical externaldimension for a USB connector. Additionally, an internal surface of thefirst opening 114 is only slightly larger than the external dimension ofthe first connector port 122, so that the first opening 114 has a verytight tolerance for allowing the first connector port 122 to slidetherethrough. This tight tolerance is considered desirable to providestructural support for the first connector port 122 when the firstconnector port 122 is extended beyond the housing 110. A conventionalUSB cable connector, however, is typically configured to surround thetype of USB connector of the first connector port 122, such that theconventional USB cable connector cannot fit through the first opening114, so the conventional USB cable connector can connect to the firstconnector port 122 only when the first connector port 122 is extendedbeyond the housing 110, but not when the first connector port 122 isretracted into the housing 110. The specially-designed external cable140, on the other hand, includes a portion (adjacent the first cableconnector plug 144) with an external dimension that generally matchesthe external dimension of the first connector port 122. This portion ofthe specially-designed external cable 140, therefore, can fit throughthe first opening 114, so that the first cable connector plug 144 hasthe advantage that it can connect to the first connector port 122 whenthe first connector port 122 is retracted into the housing 110, as wellas when it is extended beyond the housing 110.

The second end 146 of the specially-designed external cable 140 has asecond cable connector plug 148 and is coupled directly to the externalpower source 133 or the outlet charger block 138, enabling the internalbattery 130 to charge. For example, the second cable connector plug 148of the second end 146 of the specially-designed external cable 140 iscoupled to the outlet charger block 138 connected to the wall socketwhich is the external power source 133. The second cable connector plug148 may be a USB connector, a mini-USB connector, a micro-USB connector,or other appropriate USB or non-USB connector. The use of thespecially-designed external cable 140 is optional.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the portable charger 100, thespecially-designed external cable 140, and an outlet charger block 138connected together, in accordance with some embodiments. The portablecharger 100 is charging through the first connector port 122 with thespecially-designed external cable 140 connected to the outlet chargerblock 138 and the external power source 133. The first connector port122 is configured to be coupled to the specially-designed external cable140 when the first connector port 122 is extended through the firstopening 114, and beyond the housing 110. For example, a force may beapplied to the activator 120 of the portable charger 100. The firstconnector port 122 and the second connector port 124 are simultaneouslymoved to a position at which the first connector port 122 is extendedbeyond the housing 110 through the first opening 114, and the secondconnector port 124 is retracted into the housing 110. The first cableconnector plug 144 of the first end 142 of the specially-designedexternal cable 140 is coupled to the first connector port 122, and thesecond cable connector plug 148 of the second end 146 of thespecially-designed external cable 140 is coupled to the external powersource 133, enabling the internal battery 130 to charge.

In some embodiments, the first connector port 122 is configured to becoupled to the specially-designed external cable 140 when the firstconnector port 122 is retracted through the first opening 114 of thehousing 110 into the housing 110. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of theportable charger 100 and the specially-designed external cable 140coupled together, in accordance with some embodiments. For example, thespecially-designed external cable 140 with the first cable connectorplug 144 is configured to be inserted through the first opening 114 andinto the housing 110. The first cable connector plug 144, thus, can becoupled to the first connector port 122 when the first connector port122 is retracted into the housing 110, e.g., when both the first andsecond connector ports 122 and 124 are retracted into the housing 110,with the activator 120 at the midpoint, or when the first connector port122 is further retracted into the housing 110 and the second connectorport 124 is extended beyond the housing 110 through the second opening118 in the housing 110 (as illustrated in FIG. 10). In some embodiments,the first connector port 122 can be retracted into the housing 110before the first cable connector plug 144 is connected thereto. In thiscase, the first cable connector plug 144 is then inserted through thefirst opening 114 in the housing 110 to engage the first connector port122. In other embodiments, the first connector port 122 and the firstcable connector plug 144 can be connected together while the firstconnector port 122 is extended out of the housing 110, and then theactivator 120 can be operated to slide the first connector port 122(with the first cable connector plug 144 already connected thereto) intothe retracted position, thereby pulling the first cable connector plug144 along with the first connector port 122 into the housing 110.

FIG. 11 illustrates a method 1100 for providing power to an externaldevice 150 (see FIG. 12), in accordance with some embodiments. Theparticular steps, order of steps, and combination of steps shown for themethod 1100 are provided for illustrative and explanatory purposes only.Other embodiments may specify different particular steps, order ofsteps, or combination of steps for performing generally the samefunction of providing power to the external device 150. At step 1102, aforce is applied to the activator 120 of the apparatus, the portablecharger 100. The portable charger 100 has the internal battery 130, thehousing 110, the first connector port 122, and the second connector port124. At step 1104, the first connector port 122 and the second connectorport 124 are simultaneously moved to a position at which the firstconnector port 122 is retracted into the housing 110 through the firstopening 114 in the housing 110 and the second connector port 124 isextended beyond the housing 110 through the second opening 118 in thehousing 110 on the second end 116 of the housing 110. At step 1106, thesecond connector port 124 is connected to the external device 150,without an intervening cable therebetween. At step 1108, power from theinternal battery 130 is provided to the external device 150.

The second connector port 124 is configured to be directly coupled tothe external device 150, i.e., without an intervening external cable oradapter between the second connector port 124 and a matching connectorport on the external device 150. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of theportable charger 100 providing power to the external device 150, inaccordance with some embodiments. In this example, the second connectorport 124 of the portable charger 100 is coupled directly to the externaldevice 150 via a charging port on the external device 150.

FIG. 13 illustrates a method 1300 for charging the portable charger 100while simultaneously providing power to the external device 150, inaccordance with some embodiments. The particular steps, order of steps,and combination of steps shown for the method 1300 are provided forillustrative and explanatory purposes only. Other embodiments mayspecify different particular steps, order of steps, or combination ofsteps for performing generally the same function of simultaneouslycharging the internal battery 130 and providing power to the externaldevice 150. At step 1302 an apparatus, the portable charger 100, isprovided. The portable charger 100 includes the internal battery 130,the activator 120, the housing 110 the first connector port 122, and thesecond connector port 124, as described above. At step 1304, a force isapplied to the activator 120 to simultaneously move the first connectorport 122 and the second connector port 124 to a position at which thefirst connector port 122 is retracted into the housing 110 and thesecond connector port 124 is extended beyond the housing 110 through thesecond opening 118 in the housing 110. The portable charger 100 in thisconfiguration is shown in FIG. 10.

At step 1306, the specially-designed external cable 140 is coupled tothe external power source 133 (e.g., either directly or with the outletcharger block 138) and to the first connector port 122 through the firstopening 114 of the first end 112 of the housing 110, even though thefirst connector port 122 is retracted into the housing 110. At step1308, the second connector port 124 is connected to the external device150 when the second connector port 124 is extended beyond the housing110. At step 1310, the internal battery 130 is charged via thespecially-designed external cable 140 coupled to the external powersource 133 (e.g., either directly or with the outlet charger block 138)while simultaneously providing power from the internal battery 130 tothe external device 150. In an alternative embodiment for simultaneouslycharging the internal battery 130 and providing power to the externaldevice 150, the first and second connector ports 122 and 124 are movedto the position at which the first connector port 122 is extended out ofthe housing 110 and the second connector port 124 is retracted into thehousing 110, as shown in FIG. 3. A cable (not shown) with a connectorconfigured or adapted to be inserted through the second opening 118 isconnected to the second connector port 124 within the housing 110; andthe first connector port 122 is connected to the external power source133 (e.g., either directly or with the outlet charger block 138) with orwithout the specially-designed external cable 140 in between.

The portable charger 100 includes circuitry, such as the PCB 134,coupled to the internal battery 130. This circuitry enables the internalbattery 130 to be charged while simultaneously providing power to theexternal device 150. For example, the internal battery 130 is configuredto be charged from the external power source 133 when the firstconnector port 122 is retracted into the housing 110 through the firstopening 114 (as shown by FIG. 10) while simultaneously providing powerto the external device 150 when the second connector port 124 isextended beyond the housing 110 through the second opening 118 (as shownby FIG. 12), thereby combining embodiments of FIGS. 10 and 12.

The design feature of the internal battery 130 of the portable charger100 being configured to be internally charged while simultaneouslyproviding power to the external device 150 is an improvement intechnology and counterintuitive in the industry. This enables theportable charger 100 to be a fully functional, self-contained devicethat can perform both functions at once—that is, charging the internalbattery while providing power. In the prior art, similar designs with afirst connector and a second connector opposite one another that areconfigured to extend and retract into a housing have, for example,separate circuitry or mechanical locking features that purposely preventsimultaneous access of both the first connector and the secondconnector—that is, performing functions of the first connector and thesecond connector at the same time. For example, in a dual-interfaceflash drive, if both connectors of a flash drive are simultaneouslyconnected, the two interfaces using the two connectors can attempt toaccess the flash memory at the same time resulting in, for example, thetwo interfaces attempting conflicting writes. This may corrupt the datain the flash memory or damage the dual-interface flash drive. Therefore,it is imperative that the two connectors of the flash drive not besimultaneously accessible. In contrast, the first connector port 122 andthe second connector port 124 of the portable charger 100 of the presentapplication, are designed to be simultaneously connected whileperforming their given functions, since a battery has no conflictsimilar to that of the flash drive.

The design features of charging the internal battery 130 of the portablecharger 100 or providing power to the external device 150, without acable in either case, is an improvement in technology. Disclosed herein,the internal battery 130 may be charged via the first connector port 122coupled directly to the external power source 133, or through the outletcharger block 138. Moreover, the second connector port 124 may becoupled directly to the external device 150 to provide power to theexternal device 150. This capability means that the user only has tocarry and transport the portable charger 100, without any added cablesor other accessories if the user so chooses, thereby making it easy andconvenient to use the portable charger 100 and thus, keeping theportable charger 100 charged. For example, the user can carry andtransport the portable charger 100 in a pocket or purse without havingto keep track of messy, tangled cables, and the risk of forgetting thecable is eliminated. In contrast, for a conventional portable charger,external cables are necessary for the operation of the conventionalportable charger, so if the user forgot the cables, the portable chargercould not be charged and would be useless after the battery haddischarged.

Reference has been made in detail to embodiments of the disclosedinvention, one or more examples of which have been illustrated in theaccompanying figures. Each example has been provided by way ofexplanation of the present technology, not as a limitation of thepresent technology. In fact, while the specification has been describedin detail with respect to specific embodiments of the invention, it willbe appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining anunderstanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to,variations of, and equivalents to these embodiments. For instance,features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be usedwith another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it isintended that the present subject matter covers all such modificationsand variations within the scope of the appended claims and theirequivalents. These and other modifications and variations to the presentinvention may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art,without departing from the scope of the present invention, which is moreparticularly set forth in the appended claims. Furthermore, those ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing descriptionis by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a housing having a firstconnector port at a first end of the housing and a second connector portat a second end of the housing, the first end of the housing and thesecond end of the housing being opposite one another; an activatorconfigured to simultaneously move the first connector port and thesecond connector port when a force is applied, wherein when the firstconnector port is extended beyond the housing, the second connector portis retracted into the housing, and when the second connector port isextended beyond the housing, the first connector port is retracted intothe housing; and an internal battery coupled to (i) the first connectorport and configured to be charged via the first connector port from anexternal power source and (ii) the second connector port and configuredto provide power via the second connector port to an external device. 2.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the activator is located at amidpoint between the first end of the housing and the second end of thehousing, the first connector port and the second connector port areretracted into the housing.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thefirst connector port is a USB connector, a mini-USB connector or amicro-USB connector.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the secondconnector port is a USB connector, a mini-USB connector, a micro-USB ora Lightning™ connector.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the firstconnector port is configured to be connected to the external powersource without the use of a cable therebetween.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the internal battery is configured to be charged fromthe external power source via a cable coupled to the first connectorport.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the internal battery isconfigured to be charged from an external power source via a cablecoupled to the first connector port when the first connector port isretracted into the housing.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thefirst connector port is configured to be coupled to a cable when thefirst connector port is retracted into the housing.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising: an opening in the first end of the housing,through which the first connector port is extended beyond the housingand retracted into the housing; and a cable with a first cable connectorplug configured to be inserted through the opening and into the housingand to be coupled to the first connector port when the first connectorport is retracted into the housing.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the internal battery is configured to be charged from anexternal power source when the first connector port is retracted intothe housing while simultaneously providing power to the external devicewhen the second connector port is extended beyond the housing.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the second connector port is configured tobe directly coupled to the external device without an intervening cableor an adapter therebetween.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising: circuitry coupled to the internal battery enabling theinternal battery to be charged while simultaneously providing power tothe external device.
 13. A method comprising: providing an apparatus,the apparatus having an internal battery, an activator, a housing, afirst connector port, and a second connector port, the activator beingconfigured to simultaneously move the first connector port and thesecond connector port, the housing having the first connector port at afirst end of the housing and the second connector port at a second endof the housing, the first end of the housing and the second end of thehousing being opposite one another; applying a force to the activatorconfigured to simultaneously move the first connector port and thesecond connector port to a position at which the first connector port isretracted into the housing and the second connector port is extendedbeyond the housing; connecting a cable coupled to an external powersource to the first connector port when the first connector port isretracted into the housing; connecting the second connector port to anexternal device when the second connector port is extended beyond thehousing; and charging the internal battery coupled to the firstconnector port via the cable coupled to the external power source whilesimultaneously providing power from the internal battery to the externaldevice.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein when the activator islocated at a midpoint between the first end of the housing and thesecond end of the housing, the first connector port and the secondconnector port are retracted into the housing.
 15. The method of claim13, wherein the second connector port is configured to be directlycoupled to the external device without an intervening cable or anadapter.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the apparatus furthercomprises: circuitry coupled to the internal battery enabling theinternal battery to be charged while simultaneously providing power tothe external device.
 17. A method comprising: applying a force to anactivator of an apparatus, the apparatus having an internal battery anda housing, the housing having a first connector port at a first end ofthe housing and a second connector port at a second end of the housing,the first end of the housing and the second end of the housing beingopposite one another; moving simultaneously the first connector port andthe second connector port to a position at which the first connectorport is retracted into the housing and the second connector port isextended beyond the housing; connecting the second connector portdirectly to an external device, without an intervening cabletherebetween; and providing power from the internal battery to theexternal device.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein when the activatoris located at a midpoint between the first end of the housing and thesecond end of the housing, the first connector port and the secondconnector port are retracted into the housing.
 19. The method of claim17, wherein the apparatus further comprises: an opening in the first endof the housing, through which the first connector port is extendedbeyond the housing and retracted into the housing; and a cable with afirst cable connector plug configured to be inserted through the openingand into the housing and to be coupled to the first connector port whenthe first connector port is retracted into the housing.
 20. The methodof claim 17, wherein the apparatus further comprises: circuitry coupledto the internal battery enabling the internal battery to be chargedwhile simultaneously providing power to the external device.